khalik allah's experimental documentary, Field Niggas, played to a packed house at space gallery on saturday may 7th. an encouraging, heartening experience made all the more exceptional with the presence of the filmmaker and some inspiring conversation and insight immediately following the screening. Field Niggas is a portrait of a place in time- specifically 125th st and Lexington ave. in harlem 2014. shot exclusively at night, and with non-sync sound -and streetlights as the only light source- the film is an almost nightmarishly vivid portrait of the down and out and marginalized. khalik inserts himself literally and figuratively into these people's lives, photography them with intense passion and scrutiny. the entire room at the screening- one of the most diverse crowds ive witnessed for a movie in maine in terms of race and age- was riveted. the personal was made all the more personal by meeting the filmmaker, hearing from him, and seeing his portrait photos which still hang in the space gallery's annex. jon courtney- space's film programmer and co-founder- moderated the event with insight and warmth.

another chance to meet the filmmaker approaches us this weekend when derek kimball presents his film neptune at the portland museum of art this friday, may 13th at 6:30. the film has made festival rounds over the past year throughout the country but this will be its longest local run, playing at:

Friday May 13 2:00 pm

Friday May 13 6:30 pm

Saturday May 14 2:00 pm

Saturday May 14 6:00 pm

Sunday May 15 2:00 pm

though the filmmaker and star of the movie will only be on hand at the 6:30 friday show. the personal touch of living in the state where this film is made, while having it be personally presented by the filmmaker is something special to behold in the film going experience.

existing very much under the radar, but absolutely open to the public, is a screening of Love is the Devil on May 17th at 7pm at 24 preble st. the film is an enthralling biopic of british artist of the grotesque, francis bacon. completely free, this is also a byob event and presented by the institute for american art, who have been hosting low profile screenings of indie films over the past few summers.

the most punk movie you will see in theaters currently is green room at the nickelodeon. its a tense, disturbing, thrilling movie that works best when you know little- so i recommend checking it out while its still playing. its the second feature from one of the best new voices in american cinema, jeremy saulnier, who brought us the violent, sad, and beautiful film, blue ruin. green room has a similar tone but takes place over one day. i love that its about a punk rock band on tour. i feel like thats such a great setup for crazy shit to happen, cause when you're on tour you often have no idea what situation you're getting yourself into. its a sort of horror story, but its so over the top that it becomes kind of fun in this sam peckinpah sort of way. not giving away too much- go see it if youre up for something strange, dark, violent and completely transfixing.